Knight no-hits Edgewood as Westport 12s roll in Sectional opener

Doug Bonjour

Updated 10:53 am, Monday, August 19, 2013

Westport's Chad Knight pitches a no-hitter in Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Westport's Charlie Roof gets a high-five as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Westport's Harry Azadian steals second base during Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Westport's Charlie Roof misses a catch in the outfield during Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Westport's Ricky Offenberg scores a run during Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Wesetport's Max Popken hits a sacrafice fly ball for an RBI during Thursday's Section 1 Little League tournament against Edgewood at Springdale Little League Field in Stamford, Conn., on July 18, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

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After advancing past what he called a "brutally tough" district, Westport manager Tim Rogers was concerned his team could be due for a letdown entering Thursday's Section 1 opener against Edgewood.

Chad Knight made sure that didn't happen.

The right-hander dazzled on the mound, hurling a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts as the Westport 12-year-old all-stars downed District 5 champion Edgewood 8-0 at Springdale Little League in Stamford.

"He is that good," Rogers said of Knight, who allowed only two baserunners, both on errors, over six innings. "But they're (Edgewood) a good team too. Chad had his A-game today."

Knight, who was equally effective with both his fastball and off-speed pitches, retired the last seven batters he faced -- six by punchouts.

"My curveball was really working," he said.

Now 8-0 dating back to the start of pool play, District 2 champion Westport advances to face Orange of District 4 on Saturday at Frank Noto Field in Stamford at 1 p.m. Orange defeated District 3 winner Seymour 8-2 on Wednesday.

"I was nervous for a little bit of a letdown," Rogers said, referring to Thursday's game. "Nervous about, `OK, we got the hard part done.'"

Edgewood, which thumped Stamford National 23-10 on Wednesday, was silent at the plate on Thursday. It hit just one ball out of the infield.

"We've faced a couple pitchers who threw similar stuff, but he had good control tonight," Edgewood manager Rick Fredette said of Knight. "He was keeping us off-balance with his curveball and his fastball. They couldn't lay off his curve."

Edgewood will play Stamford National of District 1 again on Friday in an elimination game in Wilton at 7 p.m.

Westport held onto a one-run lead before exploding for four runs in the fifth inning and three in the sixth. That was more than enough support for the overpowering right-hander.

"It's really comfortable to know that you've got guys backing you up there. ... It takes a lot of pressure off you," Knight said.

Charlie Roof homered off right-hander Noah Plantamuro to lead off the fifth, narrowly clearing the left-field fence to make it 2-0. After a bunt single and an error, Matthew Brown scorched a double to expand the cushion to four runs.

In the sixth inning, Drew Rogers singled to make it 6-0, before Alex Reiner capped the scoring with a two-run triple to right field.

"He was in a lot of the boys' heads," Rogers said of the Edgewood starter. "I just said to them, `The way you hit at the end of the game, that's over with now.' Now we feel like we could hit anybody.

"But he's a good pitcher. He mixes (his pitches) well."

In complete control entering the sixth inning, Knight polished off his outing, striking out a pair around a ground out. And Rogers, who was "nervous" about a potential letdown on Thursday, no longer had to worry.

"I saw a little bit of that early in the game ... but they corrected it," Rogers said.